Method and apparatus for forming sound motion picture records



May 21, 1935.

o. A. ROSS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING- SOUND MOTION PICTURERECORDS Filed Aug. 17, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet l IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNE Y o. A. ROSS 2,002,188

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING SOUND MOTION PICTURE RECORDS May 21,1935.

Filed Aug. 17, 1929 2 Sheets-Shem 2 INVENTOR. BY a 23. QA TTORNEY-Patented May 21, 1935- PATENT OFFICE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMINGSOUND MOTION PICTURE RECORDS Oscar A. Boss, New York, N. Y.

Application August 1'1,

6 Claims.

This invention refers to talking, or sound 'motion pictures and moreparticularly to that class preferably termed deferred vocalized soundmotion pictures.

Whereas attempts to synchronously correlate speech or other sound tomotion pictures initially recorded without sound have been made,suitable persons speaking the lines to be recorded as a motion picturewas projected onto a screen, it has been found that such recordedspeech, when reproduced does not synchronize with the lip action, thedisparity being of the order of one half second and more. It appearsthis disparity is due to the lack of prior knowledge on the part of thespeakers as to just when the speech is to be initiated. Obviously thespeaker must await until he sees the lip action and thereafter initiatethe speech thereby causing a lag of the sound, whereas if he attempts toanticipate the action, a lead of the sound is introduced, and thisdisparity seems to obtain no matter how skilled the speaker may be.

One object of the applicants invention is to overcome the abovementioned disparity by a novel method of advancing a composed depictedword print, or record before the speakers, the print advancing at a rateof travel synchronous with the projected action, and the speakersspeaking the depicted words as they intersect a stationary guide linearranged transversely to the line of travel of the depicted words.

Furthermore, motion pictures produced prior to the advent of soundmotion pictures, were generally recorded at 16 to 20 frames per secondwhereas standard sound motion pictures are recorded and projected at 24frames per second. Obviously if the 16 frames per second films areprojected at 24 frames per second for deferred vocalization, the actionis raced and likewise any deferred speech subsequently recordedtherewith would likewise be raced. It is therefore another object ofthis invention to furnish means whereby motion pictures recorded at lessthan 24 frames per second may be converted into 24 frame per secondfilms without producing any racing or faster action than was producedwhen projecting the original film at its normal frame travel.

Another object is to furnish a novel method and apparatus for moreaccurately vocalizing mot-ion picture productions initially produced assilent motion pictures.

Another object is to furnish a novel method and apparatus for convertinga comparatively low rate of frame travel film into a recognized 1929,Serial No. 386,663

comparatively higher standard rate of frame travel without speeding upthe action, and whereby sound or speech to be synchronized to thestandard rate of frame travel film will be reproduced at normal pitchand tempo when reproduced as a sound motion picture exhibition.

Another object is to furnish novel apparatus for printing duplicatenegatives whereby a negative recorded at a comparatively low rate offrame travel may be caused to produce a dupli-. 10 cate negative havinga recognized standard comparatively higher rate of frame-travel withoutspeeding up the action as initially recorded on the comparatively lowrate of frame travel negative.

Another object is to furnish a novel method and apparatus for printingframes of a nonsound motion picture film onto another negative filmwhereby a sound track is formed parallel to the frame track withoutsacrificing any of the 20 image field of the non-sound film.

Another object is to furnish novel printing apparatus for printingmotion picture frames onto a frame track and simultaneouslyphotographically recording a consecutive reference character 95 adjacenteach frame for the identification thereof.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description of theinvention progresses and the novel features of the invention will bepointed 30 out in the appended claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to theaccompanying drawings wherein the applicant has illustrated embodimentsof the invention, and wherein like characters of reference designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:-

Figure l diagrammatically illustrates a method of printing non-soundmotion picture films onto sound motion picture films, and Fig. 2diagram- 40 maticallyillustrates a method of composing a dialogue, orsound character print, or record, and Fig. 3 is a part elevational, partdiagrammatic view of printing apparatus for one step of convertingnon-sound films into sound films, and Fig. 4 is, a plan view of aconverted sound motion picture film, and Fig. 5 diagrammaticallyillustrates another method of printing sound films from non-sound films,and Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a lens, or optical system.

Referring to Fig, 1, showing a method for converting non-sound motionpicture films into sound motion picture films whereby a sound track maybe added thereto. The film I assumed to be of the non-sound type havingstandard non-sound 5 frames 2-2 uniformly spaced between theperforations 3-3, is also assumed to be advanced by an optical printerof the step type, more fully hereinafter described, and relatively toaperture plate 4, positioned to have a beam of light directed ontoaperture 5 thereof, by the light source 6. Also arranged to be advancedwith film l, is negative film 1, positioned to receive the imaged beamfrom aperture 5, an optical system, or member 22, being inserted in thepath of said image beam and arranged to reduce thewidth but not theheight thereof whereby each frame as 9-9 printed onto action track 8 offilm i will likewise be reduced in width only as compared to thedimensions of frames 2-2. Optical system 22 may comprise a convexcylindrical member to having a convex surface H and cylindrical surface82, said member and film 7, being positioned whereby the frames as 9-9are printed adjacent one row of the perforations 3-3, in this mannerforming a sound track space, as l3 between the other row of perforationsand frames 9-9.

Numeral depicting apparatus it is connected to shaft arranged to operatesaid apparatus and depict a successively differing numeral, as I la,each time the film l is advanced one frame, and the dial 86 thereof isarranged to be illumihated by a light source ll, said dial beingpositioned within a light proof enclosure 23, see Fig. 3, whereby theobjective is photographically records an image, as 25-29, thereof ontosaid sound track 83, the aperture plate 20 having aperture i9 acting asa mask for allocating said images on said track.

Referring to Fig. 2, showing the method of composing, or preparing acontinuity print or sound character record, as 25. The projector 28, ofknown form, is assumed to advance a positive film 27 printed from theconverted negative action film 7, whereby the frames as 9-9 aresuccessively depicted onto screen 28 preferably forming a part of tableor work bench 29. Said table is preferably arranged to support rollersor spools 30-39 having record tape or ribbon 26 wound thereon wherebythe operator 3! may scribe, or otherwise mark the sound characters, orwords, as 87-37, onto sound character depicting tracks, as 32-32 forcomposing print 25. Said tape 26 is also formed with perforations, as33-33 for subsequently advancing said print at a rate of frame travelsynchronous with the frame travel of a converted sound motion picturefilm, as more fully hereinafter described. Said tape has also displayedthereon the frame travel track 86 having frame divisions 35 indicatingframes of a motion picture film. Continuity print 25 is similar to acontinuity print more fully disclosed in my co-pending applicationSerial No. 381,793, filed July 29th, 1929. Projector 2B is arranged toadvance film all one frame each time the button 3B is depressed by theoperator 33.

Referring to Fig. 3, showing a motion picture film printing apparatus ofthe step type arranged to convert non-sound films into sound films. Thenon-sound film i supported by reel to is advanced frame by frame bysprocket 6i rotated by star wheel 62, actuated by pin wheel 33 of knownform, said wheel being driven by bevel gear 4 3 secured thereto andmeshing with a similar gear 415 secured to shaft 36 rotating in bearing17, said shaft also having secured thereto female portion :68 arrangedto receive male portion 39 of clutch 58, said male portion beingarranged slidably on '"shaft 5i rotatably supported by hearing 52, saidshaft also having secured thereto bevel gear 53 arranged to drive asimilar gear 58 secured to shaft 55 arranged to ,drive change speed gearmechanism 56, said mechanism having output shaft 51 supporting bevelgear 58 arranged to drive a similar gear 59 secured to cam disk 60, asimilar disk 6| being adjustably clamped thereto by bolt 62, slots 63-63providing for such adjustment whereby the face of cam 66 may be variedcircumferentially.

Pivotally supported on shaft 65 is lever 66 having roller 61 arranged toengage cam 64! pivotally supported at one end thereof, the other endbeing arranged to engage and dis-engage the male portion 499 of clutch50, said lever being normally restrained to engage said clutch by spring68.

Change gear mechanism 56 is arranged to vary the gear ratio between theshafts 55 and 51 by movement of handle 69, a frame ratio numeral beingindicated in the dial l0.

Motor H is arranged to drive shaft 5i through bevel gears 72 and l3,gear 13 being formed with a similar gear 74 meshing with bevel gear 75formed on pin wheel @311 arranged to rotate star wheel 42a and sprocketMa, said sprocket being arranged to advance negative film I supported bysupply reel 40a and arranged to be wound onto take up reel 60b.

Sprocket lia is formed with a bevel gear 76 arranged to drive a similargear ll secured to shaft l5 for advancing numeral depicting apparatusIt! one numeral each time negative film l is advanced one frame.

Clutch 56 may also be disengaged by circuit closer it arranged to beclosed by a notch in film l in known manner, thereby energizing magnet!9 arranged to reciprocate lever 66.

Suitable shutters, not shown, are provided for masking off the lightbeams projected onto apertures 5 and i9 as films I and l are advanced bysprockets M and Li! a.

Referring to Fig. 4, showing a modified form of converted sound motionpicture film, as 85, and which it is assumed has also been produced bythe printing apparatus shown by Fig. 3, modified by omitting the opticalsystem 22 and substituting the optical system 22a of Fig. 6, therefor,thereby reducing both the Width and height of frames 871' recorded ontoframe track filo and whereby more widely spaced non-printed portions as86-86 are formed between said frames longitudinally of said film. -Inother words the ratio of the width and height of frames 8'8 is the sameas that of frames 2-2 of film l.

Referring to Fig. 5, showing a modified method of producing sound filmfrom non-sound films, the film i is again assumed to be advancedrelatively to aperture plate ti, having aperture 5, the margin 5a ofwhich substantially registers with the margin 3a of frames 2-2, or itmay be said the center line 56 substantially registers with the centerline of frames 2-2. Negative film 941 is also advanced relatively toaperture plate 98 having an aperture 9!, the margin d2 of which has beenreduced in width only and so positioned with respect tofilm 9G wherebythe sound track l3 may be formed thereon. The optical system 22b,similar to system 22a, is inserted in the image beam between films i and94 whereby the frames projected onto aperture plate 99 are substantiallyof the same dimensions as those of frames 2-2 of film l, however as themargins 92 of aperture 7 are comparatively less widely spaced, the sidesof the projected frames 2-2 overlap said margins as indicated by thedotted lines Sa -5a, and therefore the edge portions, as 2a-2a will bemasked oil as said frames are photographically recorded onto film 94. Inother words, it may be stated that the center line 5!) of frames 22 hasbeen ofi'set with respect to the center line 93 of film 94.

Application Assume it is desired to vocalize a silent motion pictureproduction which normally was recorded at 16 frames per second, whereasthe present recognized standard of recording and projection of soundmotion picture films is 24 frames per second. It will be apparant thatif the 16 frame per second film were projected at 24 frames per second,the action would be raced and likewise any speech which might besynchronized therewith for exhibition purposes. In other words theaction and sound would be projected fifty percent faster than when thesilent film was initially recorded. Obviously such racing of the actionand speech would mar, if not entirely destroy any value of adding thespeech to the silent film, or drama. To overcome this first objection,the applicant has conceived the novel method of interposing additionalframes by duplicating original frames. It will be noted by reference tothe dial 19, (Fig. 3) that a reference numeral 2 appears thereinindicating that for each two frames recorded by film I and additionalframe, or a total of 3 frames will be recorded onto film I, film I beinghalted by withdrawal of clutch 59, while film I is advanced one frame bysprocket lla. Also simultaneously with the advancement of film I, thenumeral depicting device I4 will be actuated by shaft I5 to display asuccessive differing numeral, as No which is photographically recordedonto said film for the identification thereof.

Assume that any one or more sequences of the production to be vocalizedhas been initially recorded at 18 frames per second. The change speedgear handle 69 is moved until the numeral 3 appears in dial I0, therebyindicating that for every third frame advancement of film I, the clutch59 would be disengaged and an additional frame will be printed ontonegative I, in this manner making a total of 24 frames printed onto filmI for every 18 advanced by film I.

Assume again that other sequences, of which film I may form a part, wereinitially recorded at 20 frames per second; The handle 99 would be moveduntil numeral 5 appeared in dial I9, and, as films as I and I areadvanced by the printing apparatus shown, said clutch 59 would bedisengaged every fifth frame of advancement of film I whereby 24 frameswill be recorded onto film 1 for every 20 frames advancement of film I.

If other sequences were recorded initially at 2| frames per second thehandle 69 would be moved to numeral 1 and every seventh frameadvancement of film I clutch 50 will be disengaged and additional frameadded to film I, or for 21 frames advancement of film I, 24 frames willbe recorded onto film I, and it is to be noted that said extra framesare added automatically as the films are advanced during the printingoperation.

It is to be noted that in converting a non-sound film to a sound film byadding frames as described, the mask 90 may be replaced by a duplicatemask 4 whereby the frames 22 of film I may be printed of the sameproportion and size onto a film as 1. Such converted films may beemployed for sound motion picture exhibition wherein disk sound recordsfurnish the accompanying sound, however it is assumed that both theaction and sound records are to be printed onto a single film of knownform and that therefore a sound track as I! is to be added parallel tothe frame track 9, of film I.

As standard projectors equipped for sound motion picture projection havetheir gate apertures substantially of the proportions as indicated byframe 9, it is preferable to likewise furnish films as I or 94 whereinonly the width of the frames have been reduced, and it is morepreferable to make such reduction by the method shown in Fig. 1, wherebythe entire field is retained, the objects being made more slender, anardent aim of most of the actors.

The numeral depicting apparatus I9, objective ll, light source I1 andaperture plate 29 are supported by a light proof housing 29 comprisingin substance a camera, the shutter of which is not shown.

It will be noted that whereas the numerals as 01235 01236 etc, arephotographically recorded in advance of printing the frames 9--9, theyare however positioned relatively transversely of the film andcorrelated thereto whereby each frame may be positively identified forsynchronizing sound to the action depicted thereby.

After the negative film, as I has been printed from film I as described,one or more positive prints are made therefrom, said prints being placedin projectors as 26 and projected onto screens, as 29 before whichskilled operators analyze the lip and facial action of the actors, oraction by comparison with the words or sounds produced as indicated bythe book of lines, as 29a, or a continuity print, as more fullydisclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 381,793, filed July29th, 1929, said operators scribing or otherwise indicating the words orother sound characters to be produced on lines 9232, preferablyemploying one line for each speaker, or source of sound produced, thesound characters being placed on said lines transversely opposite theframe division 35 to which it is correlated.

Referring to Fig. 2, it is assumed that one of the actors as 39 or 99has completed the statement I am, the begining of the lip movement beingseen on frame 01228 and the final movement appearing on frame 01235depicted on screen 28. The operator 3| therefore has scribed the letterI transversely opposite frame division 01228 and the end of the word amtransversely opposite the frame division "01235, as shown.

It is to be noted that other forms of sound may be recorded onto lines32-92, as for example, indicating the ringing of a telephone bell;blowing of a whistle, or horn; name or number of phonograph disk to beplayed; etc.

After the print, as 25 has been composed it is advanced in the presenceof speakers, or other artists, the rate of travel thereof being suchthat the frame divisions 35 travel synchronously with the rate of travelof frames 9-9 and during which advancement, the sound produced isrecorded onto a sound record member for subsequently re-recording onto asound track as I3 parallel to the frame track 8 whereby a sound motionpicture film is produced for effecting sound motion picture exhibitionsand as more fully disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No.381,793, filed July 29th, 1929.

Whereas only one frame as 9 has been shown as projected onto screen 28,said screen may accommodate the projection of several frames whereby theoperator 3| may more fully analyze the action thereon.

After the converted negative as I has been completed and the soundrecord film correlated thereto has been produced, the sound record to beadded to sound track 03 is printed thereon by the printing methoddisclosed by my co-pending application Serial No. 381,973, filed July29th, 1929, whereafter the resulting completed sound and actionnegatives are employed to print positive films for exhibition purposes,said positive films being projected by sound motion picture apparatus ofknown form for the exhibition of sound motion pictures.

What I claim is:

l. The method of printing sound picture films from printing picturefilms having the printing pictures substantially equally spaced betweenthe perforations which involves, advancing a printing picture film and aperforated light sensitive sound picture film in printing relation,optically projecting pictures of the printing film as pictures of thesame size at the light sensitive film as the films advance, off-settingthe longitudinal axis of the projected pictures with respect to theaxis. of the light sensitive film whereby one longitudinal edge portionthereof overlap one row of the perforations of the film and alsoprovides a sound track space between the printed pictures and the otherrow of perforations, masking ofi the overlapping portion of theprojected pictures for moving the margin of the printed picturesinwardly of the perforations, and utilizing the sound track space forrecording records corresponding to sound thereonto.

2. The method of printing sound picture films from printing picturefilms having the printing pictures substantially equally spaced betweenthe perforations which involves, advancing a printing picture film and aperforated light sensitive sound picture film in printing relation,optically projecting pictures of the printing as pietures of the samesize at the light sensitive film as the films advance, off-setting thelongitudinal axis of the projected pictures with respect to the axis ofthe light sensitive film whereby one longitudinal portion thereofoverlaps one row of perforations of the film and also provides a partialsound track space between the projected pictures and the other row ofperforations, masking ofi longitudinal portions at each edge of theprojected pictures for moving the margin of the over-lapped portioninwardly of the perforations and also providing a full sound track spacebetween the printed pictures and the other row of perforations, andutilizing the sound track space for recording records corresponding tosound thereonto.

Y 3. in apparatus for printing sound picture films, a perforatedprinting film having the printing pictures substantially equally spacedbetween the perforations thereof, a perforated light sensitive soundpicture film, means engaging the perforations for advancing the films inprinting relation, means including a light source for projectingsubstantially full size projected pictures of the printing pictures atthe light sensitive film as the films advance, the longitudinal axis ofthe'projected pictures being offset with respect to the axis of thelight sensitive film ,whereby a partial sound track space is formedbetween one row of perforations and one edge portion of the pictures,and the other edge portion thereof overlaps the other row ofperforations, means for masking off the overlapping edge portion of theprojected pictures whereby the margin of the printed pictures will beinwardly of the perforations, and means for masking off a portion of theprojected picture at the opposite edge thereof for providing a fullWidth sound track between the printed pictures and the other row ofperforations of the 4. In apparatus for printing sound picture films, aprinting film having the printing pictures substantially equally spacedbetween the perforations thereof, a perforated light sensitive soundpicture film, means engaging the perforations for advancing the films inprinting relation, means including a light source for projectingsubstantially full size projected pictures of the printing film at thelight sensitive film as the films advance, the longitudinal axis of theprojected pictures being off-set with respect to the similar axis of thelight sensitive film whereby a partial sound track space is formedbetween one row of perforations and one edge portion of the projectedpictures, and the other edge portion thereof overlaps the other row ofperforations, means for masking on the overlapping edge portion of theprojected pictures whereby the margin of the printed pictures on thefilm will be inwardly of the perforations, means for masking ed aportion of the projected' picture at the opposite edge thereof forproviding a full width sound track space on the film, and means forphotographically recording records corresponding to sound onto the soundtrack space.

5. In apparatus for printing sound picture films, a perforated printingpicture film having the printing pictures thereof substantially equallyspaced between the perforations therein, a perforated light sensitivesound picture film, means engaging the perforations for advancing thefilms in printing relation, means including a light source forprojecting substantially full size projected pictures of the printingpictures onto the light sensitive film as the films are advanced, thelongitudinal axis of the projected pictures being off-set with respectto the axis of the light sensitive film whereby a sound track space isformed between one row of perforations and one edge portion of theprojected pictures and the opposite edge portion thereof overlaps theother row of perforations of the film, and means for masking off theoverlapping portion of the projected pictures for printing the margin ofthe printed pictures inwardly of the perforations.

6. In apparatus for printing sound picture films, a printing picturefilm having the printing pictures thereof substantially equally spacedbetween the perforations thereof, a perforated light sensitive soundpicture film, means engaging the perforations for advancing the films inprinting relation, means including a light source for projectingsubstantially full size projected pictures of the printing pictures atthe light sensitive film as the films are advanced, the longitudinalaxis of the projected pictures being off-set with respect to the axis ofthe light sensitive film whereby a sound track space is formed betweenone edge portion of the projected pictures and one row of perforationsof the film and the opposite edge portion of the pictures overlaps theother row of perforations of the film, means for masking off theoverlapping portion of the projected pictures for printing the margin ofthe printed pictures inwardly of the perforations, and means forphotographically recording records corresponding to sound onto the soundtrack of the light sensitive film.

OSCAR A. ROSS.

